updateAt least five people have been killed in Norway by a man with a bow and arrow. Two others were injured in the attack, which took place on Wednesday in Kongsberg, Norway, 85 kilometers west of the capital Oslo. According to Norwegian media, an officer was shot in the back.
The 37-year-old suspect has been arrested. His motive is not yet known. Two injured people, including the officer, were taken to hospital. The police are investigating whether it is a terrorist attack, police chief Øyvind Aas said during a press conference on Wednesday evening.
Police are not currently looking for more people. The man would have acted alone, Aas says: “Based on the information we have, there is one person behind this.” According to the police chief, the attacks are spread over a larger area, not in one place. Parts of this took place at a Coop supermarket, the company confirms.
Police action
The first reports came in to the police on Wednesday evening at 6.13 pm. He said around 6.28 pm that an action was taking place in the center of Kongsberg, and asked people in the area to stay indoors.
A witness saw police in Hyttegata Street chase after the perpetrator and shoot him, the newspaper reports. Low-end posts. The witness also saw a woman lying injured on the intersection and calling for help. She too was hit. Some victims are seriously injured. The newspaper reports that a large area on the west side of Kongsberg and near the Nybrua Bridge was evacuated and cordoned off. In addition, a police raid has taken place at an address on the Hyttegata.
Part of the center of Kongsberg was still cordoned off on Wednesday evening. The shooter has moved over a large area, where traces are now being investigated. According to the police, the man must have started his attack around 6.30 pm in or near a supermarket.
The suspected perpetrator, who has Danish nationality but lives in Kongsberg, was arrested at 6.47 pm.
Reception and crisis personnel
Mayor Kari Anne Sand said the municipality has made an effort to accommodate those affected. Both the hospital and the emergency room are on standby. The police in Kongsberg are temporarily armed as a result of the incident, a press release said. Norwegian agents generally do not carry weapons or firearms.
“The information we are getting from Kongsberg is appalling,” Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said in a news conference late on Wednesday evening. “I understand that people are anxious, but I want to emphasize that the police have the situation under control,” Solberg said.
About 70 kilometers northeast of the stricken city is the island of Utoya, where more than a decade ago right-wing terrorist Anders Behring Breivik shot and killed 69 people, mostly teenagers and young adults. Shortly before that, he had detonated a bomb in Oslo, killing eight people. This is considered the worst terrorist attack in the country to date.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.